I can honestly say that The Copthorne Manchester is the worst hotel I have stayed in for a very long time.

It’s classed as a four star. Lord knows why, but it is. So you expect a certain level of service, comfort, décor, atmosphere - you know what I’m talking about.

From just entering reception you’re taken back to 1983 when mirrors and gold were the epitome of taste and style. Reception is handily placed so that any more than 4 people waiting to check in and you’re standing outside the main door.
The main treat is reserved for the rooms. Ringing in my ears is the description : “This excellent, modern, 4-star hotel…..”
We were lucky enough to stay in one of the superb ground floor disabled bedrooms.
What do I start with ? The beautifully appointed rooms with pink doors, flowery wallpaper I remember from motels twenty five years ago or the lampshades that e-bay would have difficulty shifting.
And then the bathroom. A sink for a 3 year old matched with red, broken tiles, a leaking shower that my Granddad installed one weekend and didn’t have the right tools, no shampoo, and a light that seemed to be stolen from the M6 motorway.
We were delighted to find that the doors and walls are made from bits of paper, so we especially enjoyed the couple talking next door and anyone walking past our room – every step, every breath. Bliss !

But it’s not all bad surely ? The bar with seating for about 30 people was ideal for a hotel with 166 bedrooms. And why would you want to go anywhere else when a bottle of the worst French wine bought at wholesale for £1.29 is a snip at £15.95 and delicious it was too. On some chips.
Talking of food, why wouldn’t you indulge yourself with a delicious ham sandwich – £6.50 but that does include some stale, tasteless tortilla chips that were found on the floor.

When I checked out I was asked if our stay was OK. I replied, it was, OK. The member of staff was a little taken aback and apologised. I told her there was no need to be sorry but what were the areas of the hotel she thought were great. Needless to say the reply concurred with my thoughts.

With a choice of some great hotels plus the Malmaison, Radisson, Hilton and even the Novotel and Campanile chains, I would choose any of them over the Copthorne/Millennium in the future.